Day: January 4, 2013

Considered by many specialist in travel as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it is not for nothing that Rio de Janeiro is the main gateway to international tourism in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro has around 6 million people and like any big city in the world has to deal with security issues. Since Rio was chosen to host the World Cup 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, different security projects were implemented by the Public Safety Department like the UPP (Police Pacification Unit), police stations installed inside some of the main favelas (slums) that had helped increase the feeling of security of locals and foreign visitors to the city. However, that is a gradual process that until we get the first big results we should still follow necessary safety tips in order to enjoy most of the beauties of the wonder city.

Safety tips:

Avoid carrying the original passport, copies would be enough.

Exchange the cash for local currency because most of the establishments accept only Reals.

Try to use ATMs during the day. The service only works until 10pm at the banks cash points. Alternatively there are the 24h Supermarkets that usually have an ATM inside.

Avoid going out with more than necessary money. Most establishments accept credit cards.

Try not going out at the streets wearing jewelry, expensive watches etc. Usually the burglars are young and really fast.

Prefer to use the beach chairs for rent offered by the food and drink tents in the sand and preferably not leave personal belongings out of your presence.

If you go out with your camera, specially the large ones, always keep it hanging from the neck.

Avoid dim streets, alleys with few people walking there.

Rio de Janeiro’s downtown area is the best place for the ones interested in local historiy or arquitectural things. There you can find the main musuems and cultural centers. But you should avoid it during the weekends as it will be completely empty.

Rio de Janeiro has the world’s biggest urban forrest, known as Tijuca Forrest, and a visit to it is mandatory. But you must have a guide to scort you in the several trials there. So don’t pretend to be Indiana Jones going there by yourself!

The buses work well in the city and instructions on how to get them will be given by one of the staffs at Casa Cool Beans. During the night, however, should give preference to taxis.

Taxis are safe but prefers the ones who works to priviate companies (knowns as “cooperativa”). To identify them simply observe if they have the name of the cooperative that they belongs stamped in blue stripe painted on the rear side of the car.

Most police men do not speak English so if you have something stolen and want to make a record of the incident for insurance purposes, ask at your hotel to guide you using the tourist city police (DEAT), located in Leblon. The service there is in English.